Public Health

Overview

The interdisciplinary public health program addresses the health of worldwide populations, covering the five core areas of public health:

Biostatistics
Environmental health sciences
Epidemiology
Health policy and management
Social and behavioral sciences

This program emphasizes public health leadership and the administrative skills associated with leadership careers in public health. Coursework and practical experiences are combined to prepare students for leadership roles to prevent diseases and promote strategies to improve health. Elective courses are selected in coordination with other departments, and are focused on general leadership and administrative knowledge and skills.

The MPH program prepares students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Certified in Public Health (CPH) exams. These certifications assure employers that graduates meet the entry level competencies needed by public health professionals. Graduates will also be prepared to pursue an advanced degree in public health (PhD or DrPH), or a professional degree in medicine, nursing, pharmacy or dentistry.

SIUE's public health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Learn more.

Program Format

Classes are offered in the evening to accommodate working professionals, and most courses are offered in a hybrid format with meetings once a week in the evening.

What can I do with a master's degree in public health?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for public health professionals are rising faster than the average for all occupations nationally.

Graduates will leave SIUE with in-depth knowledge, as well as the skills to manage, plan, implement, evaluate and disseminate public health programs, and develop and analyze policies. Graduates typically pursue careers in:

Community and public health practice
Health policy
Management
Research
Health education
Health promotion
Consulting
Private practice
Education

Public Health Career Videos

Hands-on Learning

Opportunities are available for students to participate in practical experiences on and off campus throughout the program. In their second year, students will complete an applied practice experience where they will work with an organization to complete public health projects. Additionally, students may choose to complete a community-based project for their capstone course.

Global Experiences

Faculty-led travel study courses are available that examine various aspects of public health, life, culture and the geopolitical climate in other countries or culturally diverse areas. Potential areas of research and service include, but are not limited to:

Environmental sustainability
Environmental education and programming
Disaster response and relief
Community development
Health and wellness education
Infectious diseases

Some global health opportunities are appropriate as applied practice experiences, capstone projects or a thesis. Talk with the graduate program director to learn more.